April 08, 2013

Share

"We actually provide wonderful education, as do other seminaries, to people who want to work in the church, but who don't want to be ordained, either as deacons or elders." - Jan Love, dean of Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

Theological education benefits laity, too

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The 13 United Methodist seminaries in the United States are attracting an increasing number of students who come seeking a theological education and then pursue callings other than ordained ministry. Interpreter OnLine shows how seminary education is helping laypeople in their ministries. Read story

Merged conferences get a new name

SAN ANTONIO (UMNS) - The unified annual (regional) conference of the Rio Grande and Southwest Texas conferences will be named "Rio Texas Conference." Byrd Bonner, co-chair of the Unification Implementation Team, said in an announcement video that the name draws on both predecessor conferences and claims the "living image of water among us." Watch video announcement

New head of UMCOR's U.S. disaster response named

NEW YORK (UMNS) - Gregory "Greg" A. Forrester has been named the new head of disaster response in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Forrester, a member of the Upper New York Annual Conference, has served as Northeastern Jurisdictional coordinator for United Methodist Volunteers in Mission since 1999. He will take on his new role on May 1. UMCOR is part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Read news release

Conference newspaper honored

COLUMBIA, S.C. (UMNS) - The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the newspaper of the South Carolina Annual (regional) Conference, was named the best newspaper in its division by the S.C. Press Association. Editor Jessica Connor also won second place for best published feature story, and Matt Brodie, communications director, won second and third place for his photography. Read story

Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share with others, email newsdesk@umcom.org and put Digest in the subject line.

April 11 - Free webinar "The Pastor's Moving - the SPRC Role," 6:30 p.m. CT, tips for saying goodbye and welcoming pastors for members of staff-parish relations committees from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

April 14 - Native American Ministries Sunday, in which special offering benefits Native American outreach within annual conferences and provides seminary scholarships to Native Americans. Details and to donate.

April 16 - Free webinar "Leading Group Discussion," 6:30 p.m. CT, from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register.

April 17 - Poet and undertaker Thomas Lynch will present "The Feast of Language" at 7 p.m. ET at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. The lectures are free, but registration is required. Details.

April 18 -The Rocky Mountain Annual (regional) Conference invites United Methodists to join Silent March against Gun Violence, organized by Colorado Ceasefire. The April date is two days before the 14th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. Details at silentmarch.org and coloradoceasefire.org.

April 19-21 - Hispanic/Latino Church Planters' Boot Camp, Northbrook (Chicago area), Ill. Designed for Hispanic church planters, churches with Hispanic ministries, and for all leaders interested in starting a ministry with their Hispanic community. Details.

April 26-27 - In Mission Together, part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, will hold a 50/50 Partnership Roundtable at Christ United Methodist Church, Memphis,Tenn. The gathering is for U.S. congregations interested in partnering with United Methodist faith communities in Russia/Eurasia. Details.